LPU becomes India’s first Private University to get ICAR Accreditation

Jalandhar, November 13, 2018: Getting one of the highest ratings of 3.42/4 among all Universities by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Lovely Professional University (LPU) has become India’s first private university to get ICAR accreditation. ICAR co-ordinates agricultural education and research in the country under the aegis of the Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (Government of India), where Union Minister of Agriculture is its President.

In the recent 22nd meeting of Board Members, Chairman of the National Agricultural Education Accreditation Board and Director General (ICAR), Dr Trilochan Mohapatra reiterated that grading of agricultural universities (AUs) creates a healthy competitive environment and enhances the quality of education. In this meeting, the Board examined 8 PRT reports and discussed accreditation based on the information contained in Self Study Reports, Peer Review Team Reports and remarks of the Board Secretariat. Here, LPU School of Agriculture was approved for accreditation with GPAC of 3.42. Among all the 8 institutions evaluated, LPU School of Agriculture got the highest ICAR Rating, which is a clear indication of the quality of programmes at LPU School of Agriculture.

Under this accreditation, various agricultural based degree programmes of LPU have been approved by ICAR. These approved programmes include B.Sc. Agriculture (Hons) with GPAP of 3.72/4; M.Sc. Horticulture (Fruit Science) with GPAP of 3.75/4; M.Sc. Agronomy with GPAP of 3.60/4; and, M.Sc. Genetics & Plant Breeding with GPAP of 3.60/4.

Expressing great happiness on prestigious ICAR accreditation, LPU Chancellor Mr Ashok Mittal holds: “Quality agricultural education is of paramount importance for the country, presently. Keeping up all the norms and standards, our school of agriculture has set benchmarks with top agricultural universities of the world, thereby proving up to the expectations of the top accreditation agencies like ICAR. For agricultural practical training, we have also allotted many acres of farming land to the school.” Adding Mr Mittal anticipates that school of agriculture at LPU will certainly play a major role in promoting excellence in higher education in agriculture, and also stays determined to make an impact on the national food and nutritional security.

Dean Dr Ramesh Sadawarti informs that LPU School of Agriculture is engaged in cutting-edge areas of agricultural science and technology development. Promoting quality higher agricultural education, LPU will certainly develop required skilled manpower in adequate number, not only for the country but for the world also.

The Council is the apex body for managing education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the entire country. With 101 ICAR institutes and 71 agricultural universities spread across the country, this is one of the largest national agricultural systems in the world. The ICAR has played a pioneering role in ushering ‘Green Revolution’ and subsequent developments in agriculture in India through its research and technology development.